Counties Affected
Updated 28 September 2026: this report was regenerated with corrected figures. An earlier version overstated the year-on-year change by comparing against our own incomplete record of the previous year rather than official Road Safety Authority statistics, and included some double-counted incidents. See our methodology.
Overview
Between 16 and 19 August 2026, five people lost their lives on Irish roads in a single devastating collision in County Kildare. There were no other fatal incidents recorded during this four-day period.
Fatal Incidents
Sunday, 16 August – M9 Motorway, Moone, Co. Kildare
Five young people were killed on the M9 motorway near Moone in the early hours of Sunday morning when the car they were travelling in entered the motorway travelling in the wrong direction and struck an oncoming vehicle head-on. The victims were five teenagers: Alex McCarthy (16), Joe Carthy (15), Jack Kennedy (17), Jeremy O’Brien (18), and Kamil Pustkowski (17).
The thoughts of everyone at roaddeaths.ie are with the families, friends, and communities of the five young men lost in this tragedy. Losses of this kind — so many young lives taken at once — leave a mark that extends far beyond those who knew them personally.
Wrong-way driving on motorways and dual carriageways, while relatively rare, is among the most dangerous situations that can occur on high-speed roads. Incidents of this nature are almost always fatal or life-altering for those involved. The causes can vary and it would be inappropriate to speculate ahead of any investigation, but An Garda Síochána and the relevant authorities will investigate the circumstances fully.
Road Deaths in Context
This collision brings the total number of road deaths recorded on roaddeaths.ie for 2026 to 118, covering the period up to 19 August.
At the same point last year, the official Road Safety Authority figure stood at 107. Our own running total — compiled from news reports and typically running slightly ahead of the official RSA count — represents an approximate increase of around 10% compared to that figure. This difference should be read with some caution: our tally and the RSA’s official figures are not directly equivalent, and the final comparison will only be meaningful once official 2026 data is published. That said, the early trend is one that warrants continued attention.
Safety Reminders
In light of this week’s collision, it is worth highlighting the following guidance for motorway and high-speed road users:
- If you find yourself travelling the wrong way on a motorway or dual carriageway, do not attempt to turn around at speed. Slow down gradually, activate your hazard lights, and pull over safely as soon as possible. Contact An Garda Síochána immediately by calling 999 or 112.
- If you observe a wrong-way driver, pull over safely where possible, activate hazard lights, and call 999 or 112 immediately. Do not attempt to warn the driver by flashing lights in a way that could cause confusion.
- Motorway entry and exit points require particular care, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas. Always verify your direction of travel before joining a high-speed road.
The RSA’s ongoing Slow Down and Be Safe, Be Seen campaigns serve as a broader reminder that attentiveness and appropriate speed are among the most effective tools any driver has to protect themselves and others.
Looking Ahead
The loss of five young people in a single moment is a painful reminder of how quickly and completely a road collision can alter the lives of families and communities. Behind every figure in a road safety report is a person — in this case, five young men with their lives ahead of them.
As we move through the remainder of the summer — historically one of the busiest periods on Irish roads — we ask all road users to travel with care and with awareness of those around them. If you are concerned about your own safety or that of another driver, do not hesitate to act.
Go n-éirí an bóthar leo.
Road death figures quoted reflect roaddeaths.ie’s own running tally, compiled from published news reports. This total may differ from official RSA figures, which are published separately and may be subject to revision.
Report card description: Five teenagers lost their lives on the M9 motorway near Moone, Co. Kildare on 16 August in a wrong-way driving collision — the only fatal incident of the period, but one of the most tragic single events on Irish roads in recent years. With 118 deaths recorded so far in 2026, the toll is running approximately 10% above the same point last year.